Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Velachery junction signals traffic woes

— Photo: N. Sridharan

CHAOS REIGNS SUPREME: The Vijayanagar intersection in Velachery presents a picture of confusion for most part of the day.

CHENNAI: Traffic gridlocks are the order of the day at the intersection of the busy Velachery Main Road near Vijayanagar Bus Terminus.

It is an important junction, not just in the context of the fast developing localities in the neighbourhood, but also in view of the spot being a corridor from the southern suburbs and to the IT corridor.

In the absence of traffic signals at the junction, the task of enforcing discipline during rush hour among the motorists, particularly the goods vehicles and staff buses, rests with a few traffic policemen on duty.

With the policing restricted to the rush hour, there is little to stop the vehicles from being driven dangerously much to the discomfort of pedestrians and other road-users. It is against such a backdrop that there is a growing demand from the residents for installation of traffic signals.

Some residents, however, feel that measures other than a traffic signal were required to ensure a smooth and disciplined flow of traffic in the area. In particular, they underlined the need for removal of autorickshaw stands in the stretch and curbing vehicle parking around the commercial establishments in Vijay Nagar. There is space to establish a bus terminus on the other side of the road, which at present is encroached on by hawkers.

Yet another menace facing motorists and pedestrians, especially senior citizens and children, is pertaining to the bevy of omnivans that meander near the bus terminus. With no designated spots for them to halt, the vans sometimes can be seen all over.

The narrow stretch between the Vijayanagar bus terminus and the flyover on the Velachery Main Road complicates the problem resulting in a pile of vehicles during rush hour. The residents also point to the bad state of the roads in the area and the safety hazards that the temporary medians, placed by the police, pose, particularly when the alignment of stones is disturbed.

An autorickshaw driver S. Anbu blamed heavy vehicles for disturbing the temporary medians.

A few months ago the State Highways Department, for expanding the road to the southern arm of the Inner Ring Road coming up along the Mass Rapid Transit System, had removed encroachments (except a structure).

But for unknown reasons, the widening work has not taken off resulting in space created following the demolition being used to park vehicles. A highway official said the road widening work could not be taken up because of a legal tangle.

Meanwhile, the recent rain has left the Taramani Link Road (from Vijay Nagar to SRP Tools on Old Mahabalipuram Road) in a shambles. The narrow stretch, with considerable scope for expansion, has developed potholes making it difficult for road-users.

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